4 cocaine arrests include pair in central Modesto

Four people, including a Modesto man, were arrested in connection with a cocaine selling and trafficking investigation in Tuolumne County, officials announced Friday.

After serving search warrants in Sonora and Modesto, the Tuolumne Narcotics Team seized about a quarter-pound of cocaine with an estimated street value of $4,500. The investigators also seized a firearm, a vehicle and cash.

The investigation began several months ago when the narcotics team received information that Ernest Tyler Mittry, 25, and Joy Mariko Mata, 22, were selling significant quantities of cocaine in Tuolumne County, according to the Tuolumne Narcotics Team.

The investigators conducted surveillance before they gathered enough information to obtain a search warrant.

Authorities arrested Mittry and Mata during a traffic stop on suspicion of possession of cocaine, possession of cocaine for the purpose of sales, and transportation of cocaine. Mittry and Mata were found in possession of 1½ ounces of cocaine with an estimated street value of $1,000.

The narcotics team also searched Mittry and Mata's home in the 19000 block of Serrano Road in Sonora, where they found items believed to be associated with trafficking and selling cocaine.

Child Welfare Services took custody of a 3-year-old child also living at the home.

The investigation then led the narcotics team to a home in the 1000 block of Fairmont Court in central Modesto, where they arrested Duane Paul Ramirez-Murfin, 24, of Modesto and Marcus Jamal Beavers, 22, of Sacramento.

Ramirez-Murfin was arrested on suspicion of possession of cocaine for the purpose of sales, while Beavers was accused of resisting arrest.

Beavers also had three felony arrest warrants and a misdemeanor arrest warrant.